Information Systems - The Next Generation : Proceedings of the 4th UKAIS Conference, University of York, 7-9 April 1999

A collection of papers from academic conference on the subject of Information Systems that covers sub-topics under BIC code U.

This book contains the papers presented at the fourth annual conference of the UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS) which took place at the University of York, between the 7th and 9th April 1999. The theme of this fourth conference is Information Systems - The Next Generation . The sequence of papers in the book reflects the thematic clustering of the papers in the conference.
The UKAIS arose from a concern about the way IS teaching and research was funded, and the lack of recognition of information systems as a distinct academic discipline. The UKAIS was established in 1994 to remedy this situation. UKAIS is a charity, whose aims are to promote a better understanding of information systems within the United Kingdom and to improve the practice of information systems teaching and research. Previous to the formation of the UKAIS, UK many academics in information systems felt isolated in departments of computer science, business schools and elsewhere. The Academy has provided a forum to meet with other teachers and researchers in information systems.
To achieve our aims, we need to be an effective combination of a learned society and pressure group . By continually improving the quality and relevance of our teaching and through innovative and rigorous research we can contribute to both academic development and excellence in IS practice in the UK. However, we must also be influential in obtaining better understanding of the uniqueness of our subject by the higher education funding councils, the research funding councils, professional bodies, HM government and UK business. In order to achieve these aims, we meet with research funding bodies, educational institutions, representatives of government and practitioners on a regular basis. Most recently, we have made representations to the DTI regarding the Dearing Report and HEFCE regarding the research assessment exercise. In the last 4 years we have achieved recognition that IS is not being dealt with successfully by such bodies and we have been invited to suggest ways of improving the situation. There is now recognition of the IS skills shortage. This is all a first step. In the next 2-3 years, it will be critical for the Academy to argue further its case for change.
IS teaching and research are supported by the UKAIS through its annual conference, PhD consortia, workshops, regional group meetings and the quarterly newsletter. Members also get good discounts on the major UK information systems journals. The UKAIS definition of IS and proposed syllabus for courses in IS are being widely adopted. We now have seven regional groups (Central Scotland, East Midlands, London, Northern, Northern Scotland, Wales & West and Wessex) each having regular programmes of events. The 1999 annual PhD consortium (there have been five previously held under the auspices of the Academy) will take place at the University of Central England in Birmingham on July 6th 8th.
As well as the papers in the book, the conference itself has additional activities, such as plenary talks given by eminent academics and practitioners as well as panel sessions (not forgetting good food and wine). Any event like this involves a lot of hard work and enthusiasm. The conference was organised by David Allen, Laurence Brooks, Donal Flynn, Chris Kimble and David Wainwright. At least two referees assessed each submitted paper and 71 papers were accepted from almost 100 submissions. Ray Hackney, from the National Board of the Academy, together with David Allen, Laurence Brooks, Donal Flynn, Chris Kimble and David Wainwright, from the Northern Regional Group, acted as the programme committee.
Further acknowledgements are well deserved. Four speakers from outside the Academy gave their time: Peter Checkland, Andrew Kakabadse, Mike Jackson and Philip Swann (from Marks and Spencer). We also wish to express our gratitude to Alfred Waller at publisher s McGraw-Hill who has been particularly helpful to the UKAIS in supporting this project. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the National Railway Museum for the conference dinner, The University of York campus for the use of their facilities and the general support of the Department of Computer Science at the University of York. Finally, we thank Jane White for her excellent administrative support.